World churches' body expresses concern for Christians in Egypt

World churches' body expresses concern for Christians in Egypt

Concerned about the security of Christians in Egypt, the World Council of Churches has promised solidarity and encouraged the churches there to continue their involvement in Muslim-Christian dialogue.

Concerned about the security of Christians in Egypt, the World Council of Churches(WCC) has promised solidarity and encouraged the churches there to continue their involvement in Muslim-Christian dialogue.

"It is a matter of regret that in Egypt today Christians can easily fall victim to violence and hatred, and that their security is not fully guaranteed. Many Copts, in particular, are made to feel like aliens in their own country," said the WCC in a statement released today.

This statement is part of a message to the member churches of the WCC in Egypt issued by the Council's executive committee at the end of its 23-26 February 2010 meeting in Bossey, near Geneva, Switzerland.

In one of the latest attacks targeting Christians in Egypt, six Christians and one Muslim were shot down by gunmen at the conclusion of the celebration of a Coptic Christmas midnight mass in Nag Hammadi on 7 January.

The WCC message conveys "the concern of the entire ecumenical family" and affirms "unequivocal support to the churches in Egypt in these troubled times".

The message also encourages the churches in Egypt "to continue to counter negative trends with a pro-active engagement in dialogue and partnership for life and for Christian-Muslim coexistence".